BOSTON (AP) — Two judges could rule as early as Friday on whether President Donald Trump’s administration should replenish November’s SNAP food assistance benefits. Government shutdown.
The ability of about one in eight Americans to buy groceries could be affected by the outcome.
Even if a judge rules for the first time in SNAP’s 61-year history that benefits cannot be withheld, many beneficiaries will likely face delays recharging the debit cards they use to buy groceries. This process can take a week or two, so it may be too late to fund your card during the first few days of November.
at a public hearing in Boston On Thursday, a federal judge appeared skeptical of the administration’s argument that it can suspend SNAP benefits in a legal challenge brought by Democratic officials from 25 states.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani told lawyers that if the government can’t afford the cost, there is a process to follow, rather than simply cutting off all benefits. “This action involves finding a fair way to reduce benefits,” said Talwani, who was appointed to the court by former President Barack Obama.
Mr. Talwani appears to be leaning toward calling on the government to inject billions of dollars in emergency funding into SNAP. She said that’s her interpretation of what Congress intends when an agency runs out of funding.
“If we don’t have the money, we close it out,” she said in court. “This is some political game, so I’m not going to let everyone die.”
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Government lawyers argue that the emergency fund, which includes about $5 billion, cannot legally be used to maintain the SNAP program, which costs about $8 billion a month. States argue they need to use it for that purpose, pointing out that more money is available in a second federal account of about $23 billion.
Talwani said his ruling applies nationwide, not just to the states participating in the challenge. This could go against the wishes of the U.S. Supreme Court, which has limited, but not prohibited, the use of nationwide injunctions.
A second hearing on a similar challenge brought by a coalition of cities and nonprofits is scheduled for Friday before a Rhode Island-based federal judge.
In either case, the judgment is likely to be appealed.
meanwhile, States, Food Banks, Recipients Prepare for sudden changes in how low-income people get groceries.
Most states have announced new ways to expand or speed up funding to food banks or include at least some benefits on debit cards used in the programs.
Advocates and beneficiaries argue that ending food aid would force people to choose between buying groceries and paying other bills.
At a Friday news conference in Washington, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, whose agency administers SNAP, said the contingency funds in question won’t cover SNAP costs for long. At a news conference with House Speaker Mike Johnson at the Capitol, she accused Democrats of an “abhorrent dereliction of duty” in refusing to end the Senate filibuster while seeking an extension of health funding.
This week we promote continued SNAP funding during government shutdown failed in parliament.
To qualify for SNAP in 2025, a family of four must have a net income, excluding certain expenses, that does not exceed the federal poverty line, which is about $31,000 a year. According to the complaint, SNAP provided assistance to 41 million people last year, nearly two-thirds of whom were families with children.
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Mulvihill reported from Haddonfield, New Jersey. and Mr. Krusi of Providence, Rhode Island. Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro in Washington, D.C., contributed.
